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Hi friends! Today I am going to show you how to stamp on fabric! This technique is handy if you are looking to gussy up premade t-shirts, tote bags or baby onesies (how cute!) or if you want to make your own fabric for quilting and other crafts. Today we will use inexpensive cotton muslin fabric to make a scarf. This way you can try out these techniques without it costing you an arm and a leg:)

Also the fine folks at Art Neko are giving away a set of the stamps I used, all you have to do is leave a comment and I will draw a name at random in one week! This contest is open to everyone world-wide. Thanks Art Neko!

I want to mention that the dye I am using is Dr Ph Martin radiance watercolor. It is kinda pricey as far as dye goes but it also can be used as watercolor paint BUT it is not lightfast on paper, it is like using a marker as far as how quickly it would fade, but many paper crafters like this watercolor and use it. It is a wonderful, high quality dual purpose product.

Watch the video to learn how!

Sponsored by Art Neko *Save 10% off your next order of any size or get free shipping on orders over $50 (whichever discount is greater you get!) just by mentioning thefrugalcrafter!

Directions:
1. Prewash fabric and trim to size, I used a 10″ wide strip as it comes off the bolt.
2. Mix a tablespoon of soda ash with 2 cups of very hot water. Soak fabric in this mix and ring out the excess.
3. Protect your table with plastic bags and spread out your fabric.
4. Apply dies. Pick colors near each other on the color wheel to avoid mud.
5. Let dry and press the fabric with a hot iron.
6. Hem the raw edges (I did not hem the short edges as they were the bound edges off the bolt of fabric)
7. Using firm pressure and a well inked stamp add images to the fabric. Heat set.
8. Color with inktense pencils or blocks.
9. Apply water to the images to liquefy the inktense and add more pigment from the block if desired.
10. Spatter more inktense if desired.
11. Accent with fabric paint, let dry and press again with a hot iron to set.

So, can you think of a project that this technique would be good on? Let me know in the comments and don’t forget, I will pick one lucky commenter to receive the stamps I used! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Loved the tutorial, the scarf, paints and most of all the stamps! I love love love fall so that scarf was awesome! I would love to see a dragonfly version! I love dragonflies! Thanks Lindsay for the great videos!

My first thought was to use it on muslin bags. I make them for gift bags and vary the sizes so that different items will fit in them. This would be perfect for them. It would dress up the bag enough that with a pretty drawstring it would be a part of the gift and not just a wrapper. Thank you for sharing. You always have such wonderful techniques and ideas.

I absolutely love this idea and am going to visit our great nieces and will make bags with this and videotape it on my website…it will be such a fun reminder of our trip and a great way to spend a few hours together. Thanks so much for the idea. Sandy Parker
Crafting for Almost Everyone

This is very cool! I think it would be really neat with the Little Prince-themed stamps, if those exist. I am picturing sky blue fabric and the image where he is being flown with the flock of birds on one end of the scarf.

What a great project, Lindsay. Now I know what I can do with the box of washing soda I have at the back of the cupboard under the kitchen sink lol (I use it for cleaning my silver jewellery at the moment). Thanks to Art Neko for giving us all the chance to win the stamps you used on the scarf, they are beautiful.
Bejay xx

I love the fall colors. Its my favorite time of year. Since I moved to the south I don’t get to see the changing of the leaves where I live. So this scarf you made reminds me of my very young childhood up north. Love your videos. I look forward to each one. Thank you for sharing them with us.

I love this idea! So much inspiration every time. I hope you never run out of these awesome ideas.
Thank you for a chance for this giveaway.
(I didn’t see my first comment so I if it shows up later just ignore this one 🙂 )

Love, love, love this project! I never would have thought of using Dr. Martin inks on fabric, so a big Thank You for road-testing this for us. I want to make a quilted fall table runner and placemats, but was having trouble finding fabric in the right colors. Using the inks (which I may already have) is the perfect solution. Love the leaf stamps; I can see some free-motion stitching on those. Thanks again, Miss Lindsay!

I love this project! You have made stamping on fabric seem so do-able. What a lovely gift this would make! I am totally doing this (scarves). But I don’t think I could afford the Radiance dyes so will look for a substitute. I am definitely buying the Ink tense blocks, though. I have the pencils and love them. Thank you for the project explanation and enthusiasm!

Love those leaves! It turned out so pretty. I’m thinking some napkins would be a fun project to start out with, AND I actually use napkins but rarely think about a scarf!! Thanks for this very fun project.

I think I would like to try making some Cairn Terrier related cloth; I have some Cairn stamps, and the rescue organizations are always looking for unusual and cool donated items for fund-raising auctions. I may try it out to make a fall-motif crate cover for my two Cairn Terriers.

I loved the scarf. The colours are beautiful and my favourites. I also find rit dye not bright enough and a disappointment when dry. This is much more vivid and lively. Thanks for all your great ideas.

LOVE IT! I think this would be fun for making seasonal table runners and matching place mats and napkins – same deal as you did – just use inexpensive muslin and then mount the placemats on something a bit sturdier, like perhaps a coordinating burlap? Not sure I’m going to spring for the Dr Ph Martins but it is a very cool process.

Great tip about heat setting the archival stamp ink onto the fabric. By coincidence I was stamping onto fabric with the same ink yesterday, I washed it and its seemed OK, but will definitely add this extra step – thanks for all your informative tutorials.

I just watched the video on YouTube and really like this project! I can see why you were so excited about it when you can back from vacation Lindsey. You also gave a a big tidbit of-I had no idea I could use my InkTense pencils on fabrics!

Fantastic project Lindsay. I want to add colour to my sitting room with each changing season. For the warmer months l am going to try a coffee table runner,muslin curtain tie backs and a couple of cushion covers. Any suggestions for a nautical summer theme?
I found a couple of these stamp sets in Australia. Hope we get the new range sometime.

Lindsay, I use plain, white flour sack towels in my kitchen. I’m always looking for ways to make them coordinate with my decor — this is perfect. They would also make great gifts as everyone who uses my towels wants to take some home with them!

How timely this is! I was just doing some online shopping looking at scarves, but didn’t buy one yet.
I haven’t made one in ages, and this looks fun, and it’s really unique and beautiful.
Thanks for the inspiration and tutorial.

This sounds like a fun project for my nieces and nephews. With muslin we can create lots of fun fabrics to make into reusable shopping bags for family!! Thanks for the inspiration….Christmas is saved by the frugal crafter!!

Love the colors, and I appreciate your happy & up-beat way you teach. You make learning fun. I sure like to try new things knowing, it is the process, and the”art of having fun’ accomplishing it. I would love the stamps. Thank you for all of you do,

Stamping onesies as baby shower activity sounds great! I’m a little rusty in making rubber stamps now that I’m focusing more on learning how to paint. But this makes me want to get the ole Speedball cutter out and create stamps again. Thanks, Lindsay!

OH FRUGAL , I love this idea just started watching and learning I love water color . I think your tanasity is a breath of fresh air . Keep teaching I’m no where near through learning ! Bless your heart

Cute!! Can you use Dr PH Martins Hydrus instead of Radiant? I thought the only difference between the two was the lightfastness qualities. Would also love to see more watercolor paintings with Hydrus, after of course, all your vacation paintings. Thanks.

What fun!!! My 1st grandson is 7 months old….and I have so many plain canvas bags! … Time to visit ArtNeko and check out stamps too! Crossing my fingers to win the ones in the giveaway👍🏻. You’re the first crafter I starting following and I’ve learned so much from you!!! Thank you for all the hard work, and dedication to your subscribers! Love it!

I’m not a scarf person unless it’s crocheted lace, but I think that the technique would make a great fall table runner. Maybe with the addition of some lace edging. Hmmmm. A picture has formed in my head, now I’m going to have to try it.

Nice scarf! Looks pretty with your skin tone. Glad you are back and glad you all had a nice vacation! My favorite stamps are leaves, flowers and House Mouse so it would be great to win these from you and Art Neko! Had fun reading your old posts-archived from 2008! A lot of frugal ideas and different ideas! Thank you! I’ve been with you for over three years and counting. Really enjoy watching! Well this is long so gotta go. Welcome back home!

The scarf and technique are amazing. The technique would work great to re-work a thrift store shirt, hiding stains on clothing, make pillow covers, hand towels or other fabric items to match your decor. The ideas are only limited by our imaginations lol. I love that stamp set. Fall is my favorite season and the colors you used were beautiful.

Lindsey,
Learned something new again! I am a fall baby, so I love the colors of your scarf, which would also make a beautiful table runner. Oh yeah, you have also turned me into a lover of Art Neko! The people are wonderful as are their stamps! Thank you for the opportunity to win! And, WELCOME back!

Wonderful! Question, isn’t soda ash Trona? So it is same as baking soda bought in stores? At least in WY where the tronamine is they say they are same thing so, just wondering. I have baking soda galore 🙂

Trona is what we dig out of the ground in my area. Worlds largest deposit :). It is Arm and Hammer Baking soda, Arm and Hammer detergent, Arm and Hammer Everything AND, it is in All glass. At least around here Trona is called soda ash also so, I was wondering. I’ll ask someone in the biz then. Thank you 🙂

Hi Lindsay! Wow! Your scarf turned out beautifully! And I think the spatters added to the design even more! Love the leaves!!! I think this would be a gorgeous hobo bag/purse!!! Or book bag for my nerdy library trips! Lol! Love it! As always…wonderful! And so fun! Thanks for sharing and for the chance to win! 🙂

Hi Lindsay…I posted a comment, but then my WordPress account popped up to sign in, and I think my comment was lost. But…this scarf is gorgeous! I love the colors and the leaf design! I think that spatters added even more to the design! I think I’d make a hobo bag/purse with this technique, or maybe a book bag for my nerdy library trips! Lol! Thank you for sharing and for the chance to win! Wonderful, as always!!! 🙂

Very cool! A few days ago, I left a request for a video on using Inktense on fabric, and here it is! LOL. Thanks so much Lindsay. Your scarf turned out great and I’m inspired to use my Inktense blocks to decorate a boring beige shirt that I never wore, even once. I’ll make sure to wash it first.

Love your videos but your dangerous. I keep buying everything you use. I just bought Maria watercolor and gouche. 18 colors for $6.00 from Jerry’s. They seem very good. What do you think?
Ron @ronrapp2@mac.com

Beautiful project. Stamps are great too! Thanks for the chance to win the stamp set. I love everything fall!! Your videos always teach me so much! You really are one of my favorite crafters. As a crafter with ADHD I jump around to all different crafting forms too. I feel you are like me and can love so many different forms of crafting. I am never bored watching you videos. You inspire me to use the stuff I have which is so varied. Thank you for that!!!

You may have been on vacation but you were still there for us, thank you. I’d love to win the stamps give away. Thanks for using the Inktense on fabric, please do more if and when you can. Thanks again.
Joy

Yes! I made a wonderful fall wreath with mini cookie cutter s shaped like different fall leaves similar to these stamps several years ago with marbling several different fall colored Fimo clays! I no longer have those cutters but would LOVE to try these stamps with the same idea! I currently cannot afford them! Pick me! Great tutorial!!! 😁😁😁

So glad you did this with the ph martin. I was wondering if you could use ph martin for fabric but I couldn’t find any videos showing the use of this product on fabric. I love the look. Wonderful video thank you for all the info you give to us.

Lovely autumnal scarf. This would be great in purples, magentas, bright pinks with your dragonflies and trails for Summer. Winter could have holly leaves, pines etc. with deep greens and berry reds and perhaps some glittered snow, which just leaves Spring. Here in England means daffodils, crocuses etc. so primrose lemons, lilacs and spring green would give a fresh look to the scarf.
Thank you for inspiring me Lindsay!

Soooo excited you back from Vaca my normal 1:30 friday “live show ” alarm went off on my phone ” and yes and I have alarm so I don’t miss it” and I said oh live show time and was so disappointed when I remembered you were on vacation, although if anyone deserves a vacation it’s you! You do so much for the crafty comuity and always on the go I I have no idea you do it all. I do also have a question not sure if you answer them here if not I’ll be sure not to miss Friday live show. I can not find denatured alcohol I have son brand new markers that are dried and usless. I’m in canada maybe it’s named different here do you know of any other names for it. Also what hardwhere store have you seen it in as we do have some US chains. Thanks again for all also the leaf and the strawberry paintings were just beautiful

Autumn leaves are one of my favorite things and autumn is my favorite season! This project is one I will do, I have most of the materials, just need those stamps! Thanks for sharing, I really enjoy your videos!

Hope you had a great vacation! I love scarves.. I wear them all the time! So what a great idea for me to win some products and be able to make some of my own scarves to show off my art talent.. LOL!!!!! The stamps are very pretty and so are the inks and I would love to give them a try 🙂

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and being such an inspiration.
I love your scarf!This is another project I can’t wait to try. I have a few metres of muslin on hand …
(I would love to win the stamps, too)

When I was a little girl, I was fascinated by scarves. My Nan, my mom and my aunt all wore them and I couldn’t wait to grow up to own my own. I have been grown up for a long time now, and I have only my winter scarves. I think I will have to try this. Thank you for sharing.

Loved this , don’t wear scarves much, but would love to try this on a t-shirt or onsie. really enjoyed watching this video, and had to laugh about the sewing machine, glad to hear i’ m not the only one who forgets how to use something on it.

Oh, I have a question. Have you used the Ritz dyes in your washing machine? Did they stain it? I want to try it but don’t want to ruin my machine. I have dye I purchased quite awhile ago and haven’t been brave enough to use it
So I would love it if you would answer this question. Thank you.

Howdy fellow Mainer !!!!! WOW Lindsay !!!!!! I love all your videos !!! You amaze me with your endless ideas and info .You are my go to person for everything. Thank you so much for sharing all your ideas and educating me on frugal ways to craft . Not sure if my husband would agree….. lol……He doesn’t understand how the trash has anything to do with crafting and gets mad when I remove things from our trash or bring home thing from work trash….. lol Any how keep up the good work your amazing!

I think that is the technique where you use a brush to drop colors into a shallow pan of water and lay a paper on top to pick it up. Then pull the paper out of the water and let it dry. It leaves cool designs on the paper without much effort (once you are set up that is).

What a beautiful scarf and such a great way of dyeing and decorating it. I would of never thought of something like that. I love your videos. If I wanna try something new but want to know if its going to work first, I always look to see if you have done it first.

I emailed the winner and posted it last wednesday:) She already replied to me. I post it on my blog a week later but email them as well just to be sure they see it:) I can’t have a prize getting wasted:)